MARONG dominated Saturday night’s clash on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles’ turf to complete round three in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
Fresh from a bye following an impressive first-round victory, Marong showed it could be a serious challenger for this year’s premiership.
At the end of a low-scoring first half, Marong led 30-10.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers led 57-19 at a quarter to go and then slammed on 12 goals in the last to complete 131-40 victory.
A sign of Marong’s strength was a tally of 13 goalkickers.
Callum Williamson led the Panthers attack on five goals as Cory Jacobs, Kyle Manley and Kain Robins chipped in with two each.
Sam Barnes was the only multiple goalkickers for the Eagles on two.
Marong’s best were Will Gadsden, Adrian Pappin, David Johnstone, Kyle Manley, Callum Williamson and Nathan Devanny.
Best for Maiden Gully YCW were Tom Ferguson, Liam Roberts, Chris Howgate, Sam Barnes, Brent Janes and Natnael McLaren.
Bridgewater also showed its scoring power in a 200-plus points win against Inglewood.
Darren Clutton and Josh Martyn kicked six goals apiece as Lloyd Needs and Alex Powell added five each in a 229-22 result at Laser Plumbing Oval in Bridgewater.
The Mean Machine led 48-1 at quarter-time and powered to a 100-point lead by the long break.
The young Inglewood line-up never stopped trying, but Bridgewater’s slick teamwork, marking power and smarts around goal was tough to handle.
Bridgewater’s best were Joseph Mayes, Powell, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, Needs, Caillum Brady and Tom Broadbent.
Taj Rodwell, Josh Taig, Connor Logan and Tynan Hywood were best for the Blues.
Mitiamo kicked clear of Newbridge in the second half of their clash in Superoos’ territory at John Forbes Oval.
The Mitiamo line-up led 39-15 at half-time and then broke the contest open as it scored 6.2 to just two points in the third team.
Led by the play of Lachlan Woodward, Lucas Matthews and Tyrone Downie, Mitiamo went on to win 97-19.
The in-form Tyrone Downie kicked five goals as Tim Brooks added four.
Mitiamo’s best also included the consistent Luke Lougoon, Ash Benbow and Kyle Patten.
Mitch Hocking, Logan Dixon, Harry Whittle, Mac Whittle, James Oliver and Jordan Anderson were best for Newbridge.
The ladder-leading Pyramid Hill was too strong for Calivil United on the Bulldogs’ ground at Mitchell Park.
Bailey George kicked seven goals and Braidy Dickens booted five in a 151-4 victory.
It was the second time this season Calivil United was goalless.
Best for the Bulldogs were Matt Pollock, Matt Ladson, George, Dickens, Mitch Cheesman and Brad Driscoll.
Sam Green, Brady Childs, Leighton Coe and Jordan Lea played well for Calivil United.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Pyramid Hill 636 per cent, 12 points; Mitiamo 417, 12; Marong 652, 8; Bridgewater 392, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 147, 8; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 58, 0; Newbridge 30, 0; Calivil United 9, 0; Inglewood 8, 0.
Highlight of next Saturday’s fourth round will be the Marong and Pyramid Hill showdown at Discover Marong Oval in the Panthers home at Malone Park.
Newbridge takes on Bridgewater at Simonds Homes Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Calivil United clashes with Mitiamo at 5 Star Stockfeeds Oval.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine plays Inglewood at Serpentine.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole